Acetylene generator



R. F. RUSSELL.

ACETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. I919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET II W ZWIW A; ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

R. F. RUSSELL.

ACETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28, I919.

mwfiwsn Patented Mar. 28, 11922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

' ATTORNEYS UNI ET) @FF QED RICHAM 1 RUSSEIQD, OF JER$EY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR- TO AIR REDUCTIQN COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION F NEW YOF/K.

AGETYLENE GENERATOR.

terraces.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar, 28, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, RICHARD F. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jersey City, in the countyof Hudson, State of New Jersey, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in Acetylene Generators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to acetylene generators and has for its object the provision in such a generator of means for positively preventing the feeding of carbide under certain predetermined conditions whereby accidental formation of acetylene and possible resulting explosions are prevented.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an acetylene generator, with parts thereof illustrated in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the generator.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in section of the means for preventing feeding of the carbide.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates the enerator shell which may be constructed in t e usual manner and is referably provided with a hopper 6 adapted to receive the carbide and a removable cover 7 closing the carbide hopper. A table 8 is supported, by brackets 8', beneath the outlet from the hopper to receive the carbide therefrom and a rotating arm 9 secured to a shaft 10 is provided to sweep the carbide from the table; The shaft 10 is rotated under the actuation of a shaft 11 driven in any suitable manner, but preferably by a motor 12 actuated by gas formed within the generator.

A. pinion 13 on the motor 12 meshes with a gear 14 on the shaft 11; and bevel pinions 15 provide a driving connection between the latter shaft and the shaft 10. The foregoing is illustrative of a well-known type of generator to which my invention is applicable and it is to be understood that the invention may be applied to other types,

the foregoing details being intended to make the application of my invention clearly apparent.

It is the purpose of my invention to prevent escape of carbide from the table 8 when the generator has been drained for cleaning and when the cover 7 has been removed whereby accidental formation of acetylene and combustible mixtures thereof with the atmosphere of the room in which the generator is placed is prevented. To this end, I provide an annular shield 16, supported on the arms 18 to a yoke 19 which is guided on rods 17 depending from the table 8. The cross head 18 is connected by a link 20 to a crank 21 on a shaft 22, supported in a bearing 23 at the lower end of an arm 24, depending from the table 8. and in the bearing 25, fastened in the wall of the generator shell 5. The shaft 22 is provided exteriorly of the shell 5 with an operating arm 26 having a handle 27; and the shaft 22 may thus be rotated to move the shield 16 upwardly from the position indicated in Fig. 1 to a position indicated in Fig. 4. A stop 21"-lim1ts the movement of the crank 21 after it has passed the center so that the shield is securely held in elevated position.

In the normal position of the parts, as indicated in Fig. 1 the shield 16 does not interfere with the feeding of the carbide, which falls from the hopper 6 onto the table 8 and is swept therefrom by the rotating arm 9. When the shield 16 is raised by rotation of the shaft 22, it eifectua'lly prevents further feeding of the carbide even if the arm 9 continues to rotate. Any carbide escaping from the hopper 6 is merely accumulated upon the table, and before any substantial amount has accumulated, the outlet from the hopper is choked so that the feeding ceases.

The cover 7 is supported by an arm 28 which is in turn mounted upon an upright shaft 29, supported in bearings 30 on the generator shell 5, the cover 7 being adapted to swing from closed to open position through the partial rotation of the shaft 29. An arm or lug 31 (Fig. 3) is secured to the shaft 29 and disposed to engage the arm 26 on the shaft 22 when the latter is arranged to hold the shield 16 in its normal position as indicated in Fig. 1. Engagement of the arm. or lug 31 with the arm 26 position to surround the table 8 and to prevent further feeding of carbide. It is apparent, therefore, that before the generator may be opened the feeding of .carbide must cease.

As an additional precaution the drain cock 32 through which the sludge is withdrawn, the gas relief cook 33, through which gas remaining in the shell" is exhausted and the water overflow valve 34 and the water inlet valve 34', through which fresh water is added to the generator, are each provided with operating handles 35, 36, 37 and 38 arranged in interlocking relation with the operating handle 39 of the shaft 29. Thus the handle 36 of the gas release valve must first be swung to rotate the shaft'40 and open the relief valve 33, whereb the gas remaining in the shell is vented. he handle 37 of the water overflow valve 34 may then be actuated, after which, providing the arm 26 has first been actuated to release the arm or lug 31, the handle 39 may be actuated to turn the shaft 29 and swing the cover 7 from the generator. The arm 41 on the shaft 29 is thus withdrawn from the path of the handle 35 of the valve 32 which may be opened todrain the sludge from the generator. The handle 39 is also withdrawn from the path of the handle 38 of the water inlet valve which may be opened to admit a fresh supply of water.

It will be noted that before the generator may be opened or the spent materials removed therefrom, the gas chamber must be vented through the usual connection to the atmosphere outside the room in which the generator is placed; and all feeding of the carbide, whereby additional gas may be formed, must cease. Accidental feeding of carbide during purging of the generator and before it is again refilled with water is thus effectually prevented and disasters resulting from release of acetylene during charging periods are prevented.

I have thus devised a generator, which is particularly adapted for use under conditions where the danger incident to the operation thereof must be eliminated. Owing to the stringent regulations relative to the generation of acetylene, such' conditions are general, and it is obvious that the means hereinbefore described produce advantageous results incapable of accomplishment with the generators heretofore in common use.

Various changes may be made in the form, proportions and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope sufficiently to prevent feeding of carbide \from said hopper.

2. In a generator for acetylene, the combination with a generating chamber and means for feeding carbide thereto, including a carbide hopper and a feed table beneath said hopper, of a shield embracing said table, an operating arm outside said chamher and connections between said arm and sh eld whereby the lattermay be raised sufhciently to prevent escape of carbide from said table.

, 3. In a generator for acetylene, the combination with a generating chamber and means for feeding carbide thereto, including a carbide hopper and a feed table beneath said hopper, of a shield embracing said table, an operating arm outside said chamber, a shaft connected thereto, a crank on said shaft, a stop for said crank and connections between said crank and .shield, whereby the latter is elevated when said crank engages said stop and drops to its lowermost position when said crank is disengaged from said stop. 1

4C. In'a generator for acetylene, the combination with, a generating chamber and means fOr feeding carbide thereto, including a carbide hopper and a feed table beneath said hopper, of a shield embracing said table, an operating arm outside said chamber, a shaft connected thereto, a crank on said shaft, rods for guiding said shield, a cross head supporting said shield, and a link connecting said crank and cross head, 1 whereby said shield is shifted vertically.

5. In a generator for acetylene, the combination with a generating chamber and means for feeding carbide thereto, of a water inlet valve connected to said chamber, 115 means for operating said valve, means for preventing the feeding of carbide, means for moving said preventing means to operative position and an interlocking device including a rotatable shaft vertically an 120 ranged and having means thereon to block said valve operating means until said moving means has first been actuated.

6. In a generator for acetylene, the combination with a generatin chamber, and 125 means for feeding carbide t ereto, of a closure for said chamber, means for opening said closure, a sludge outlet cock, means for opening said cock, means for preventing the feeding of carbide, means for movlng said 130 preventing means to operative position, and an interlocking device including a rotatable shaft vertically arranged and having means thereon to block said closure and cock operating means until said moving means has first been actuated.

7. In a generator for acetylene, the combination with a generating chamber and means for feeding carbide thereto, of a sludge outlet cock, means for opening said cock, means for preventing the feeding of carbide. means for moving said preventing means to operative position, and an inter locking device including a rotatable shaft vertically arranged and having means thereon to block said cock opening means until said moving means has first been actuated.

8. In a generator for acetylene, the combination with a generating chamber and means for feeding carbide thereto, of a Water inlet valve, means for opening said valve, a sludge outlet cock, means for opening said cock, means for preventing feeding of carbide, means for moving said preventing means to operative position, and an interlocking device including a rotatable shaft vertically arranged and having means thereon to block said valve and cock opening means until said moving means has first been actuated.

9. In a generator for acetylene, the combination with a generating chamber and means for feeding carbide thereto, of a water inlet valve, means for operating said valve, a closure for said chamber, means for opening said closure, means for preventing the feeding of carbide, means for moving said preventing means to operative position and an interlocking device including a rotatable shaft vertically arranged and having means thereon to block sald valve operating and closure opening means until said moving means has first been actuated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RICHARD F. RUSSELL. 

